Crime reporting and prevention

If you are a victim of crime:

A victim of crime is someone who has suffered physical harm, emotional trauma and/or personal property loss resulting from criminal activity. For example, a victim is someone who has:

had their car damaged by vandalism

been assaulted while taking money from an ATM

been assaulted whilst walking to their car at night.

As well as working to maintain a safe and secure campus, the work of Security Services includes supporting victims of crime, emergencies, and incidents who have suffered stress and trauma. If you have been a victim of crime you may feel a range of emotions including anger, shame and fear. Don’t be afraid to come forward to report the crime as Security Services Officers are specially trained to help you. Please contact Security Services on 9835 6000.

Reporting Crime

Please report any suspicious individuals or activities, incidents or crime in progress to Security Services on 9385 6666. For all non-urgent reports call 9385 6000, or go to the Security Office at Gate 2, open 24/7.

If you see:

something apparently being stolen - report it

an unlocked motor vehicle in a car park - report it

a door that shouldn't be open - report it.

And remember:

always lock away your handbag or wallet

don't leave valuables or items of University equipment where they could be easily stolen

wear your identification card, if you have one.

When you call to report an incident or emergency to Security Services they will ask a series of questions such as:

who you are?

what happened?

where did this happen?

when did this happen?

will encourage you to report crime to the NSW Police. You can do this from a dedicated phone with direct access to the Police Assistance Line

can recommend steps you can take to avoid similar situations

can refer you, if necessary, to specially trained people on campus such as the Student Counselling Service. UNSW Staff are referred to the Employee Assistance Program.

Note: all information provided to Security Services is treated seriously and is handled in line with the Privacy Act 1998.

Respect. Now. Always: Let's talk about sex and consent

UNSW has zero tolerance for sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape and takes reports of this behaviour very seriously.

In an emergency, contact UNSW Campus Security on 9385 6666 for help and support. Or visit www.student.unsw.edu.au/harrassment for other confidential advice and support options.

Fraud Prevention

UNSW Security and Traffic Management would like to remind all staff and students that fraudsters are running a number of scams currently and being alert to their tricks is the best protection.

Scams are often difficult to detect until the victim has parted with their money and the offender is far away. Sometimes, scams are not matters that police can investigat. However UNSW co-operate with other agencies to try to minimise their harm. Scammers use all manner of approaches and they can be very convincing. Some methods they use could be via a romance, loneliness, lottery, inheritance, or they may use a convincing plea for assistance.

What are some of the most common scams?

International student fees 10% discount: Students provide their student ID and the fraudsters then pay the student fees online with stolen credit cards. Students can see that their fee has been paid, and they then pay the fraudster an amount equal to their fee minus 10%. Students then face having to pay their fees twice because their first payment was made illegally.

Dating website blackmail: Fraudsters pose as single people on a variety of dating websites, apps and chat programs (including WeChat, Tinder, RSVP, etc). They establish an online relationship and attempt to obtain intimate photographs or videos from the intended victim. They then use these images as blackmail, threatening to release them publicly or to close family members unless the victim pays a significant sum of money.

Report fraudulent behaviour

If you are concerned you are being scammed or have been caught by a fraudster, please contact UNSW Security and Traffic Management on 9385 6000 or email security.services@unsw.edu.au. UNSW Security can help you to report the crime to the NSW Police and provide warnings to other students and staff if you report these crimes. You can also report them directly to the ACCC (the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) by completing the ACCC Scamwatch Scam Reporting Form.

Never send money or give credit card details, online account details, or copies of important personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust and never by email.

Avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, pre-loaded card or electronic currency. It is rare to recover money sent this way.

Note that government departments will never contact you asking you to pay money upfront in order to claim a fee or rebate.

Legitimate credit card or loan providers will not ask you to pay a fee to guarantee approval, and banks and credit unions will only allow you to have a credit card if you meet their criteria. No one can guarantee these approvals in exchange for a fee.

Verify the identity of the contact by calling the relevant organisation directly – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Do not use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.

Remember:

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY Your personal details are private and invaluable – keep them that way and away from scammers;

Stay Smart Online The Australian Government's e-security website for home users and small businesses. The site has a range of information and resources, including quizzes, guides, tools, tips and advice on how to use the Internet safely and confidently. www.staysmartonline.gov.au

Protect Your Financial Identity This website provides information for the public about how to protect your financial identity in everyday life and minimise the damage if a problem occurs. This website has been developed by the Australian Bankers Association, the Australian High Tech Crime Centre and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. www.protectfinancialid.org.au